Welcome!
Date: Monday, August 30, 2010
Today: Living and speaking for God
Passage: Ezekiel 13: 8-9 NIV
8 ” ‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign LORD. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.
God spoke to prophet Ezekiel when he was living in exile, in Babylon
It was hard, because God’s own people were the toughest; they wouldn’t listen
Now, as God sent Ezekiel as a prophet, there were already some prophets in business. They were having a good time
Situation is no different today. There are a good number of prophets around, with only a few real ones, whom God has specifically appointed
On the other hand, many, whom God wanted to be prophets for Him, have not taken upon that responsibility
Whether you praise God or prophesy, God wants only those who are committed to Him to do so
Prophets are not only those people who lay hands over others and say few words of prophecy. Many prophets are seen as preachers and proclaim the divine word of God with the divine revelations that God has given them
Every man that God uses has been given a vision by God
Ezekiel saw the vision (Ch 1 & 2). Isaiah saw the vision (Ch 6).
A vision leads you into a mission
Without that vision from God, your mission that has been copied from somebody else, will not take you for long
When you are on a God-given mission, God will add people and resources. God will also take away some of your “friends” and even resources from you, because those are hindrances to the mission God has called you into
If you are not willing to say “Good-bye” to those, you will be saying good-bye to God
Ezekiel was called to ministry when he was living comfortably in one of those
River-view apartments by River Kebar
His “nest” was shaken. God wanted him
Ezekiel had to deal with the established prophets in the land, who were the “pets” of the people because of what they prophesied
These prophets would prophecy “Peace”, when the wrath of God was ready to be revealed! They were dear to the people, but not even near to God
Even today, we have many who do the same
They go to families and say, “everything is O.K”, even as people in the family are living in sin. We all like to hear that
But, know that all ”blessings” are not from of God, especially when we know that we are living in sin
We need to go to God and fix ourself up, and repent of your sins
We need to tell God, “I am sorry Lord; I will never do it again. Please help me”
Don’t we sin so much with our thoughts, looks and words?
Heaven is prepared for those who suffer for God here
There is no question of heaven here and heaven there
If you are not paying a cost for being a disciple of Christ, don’t expect to be up there, with Christ
As long as we are not willing to get rid of our sinful habits, there is no way God can use us for His glory
Make a new start today, in Christ. Tomorrow may be too late
We need a new heart, not a modified one
Ask God for the vision and ministry we are to do. Let us not decide for ourselves
God bless you and give you a blessed week
BG
Prayer: Lord, speak to me clearly as to what is my calling, so that I can focus upon it. What ever be the cost, help me to be ready, willing and available to you, even if your demands are way different from what I was expecting. Amen